'One Day' Ending Explained: Emma Morley's death leaves Dexter Mayhew shattered in Netflix's mini-series
Spoilers for 'One Day' on Netflix
LONDON, ENGLAND: Narrating a captivating tale of love and friendship, Netflix's 'One Day' is the serialized adaptation of the book of the same name by David Nicholls.
The series features a unique twenty-year timeline integration that explores the highs and lows of the lives of its leads as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The show centers on the special bond between Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall), who met by coincidence at their graduation celebration and keep meeting on the same day for the next twenty years, drawing viewers into their personal journeys.
Dexter Mayhew goes through emotional turmoil after Emma Morley's death
The series' final episode sheds light on Dexter's emotional turmoil following Emma's death. Following his return from a birthday celebration with Jasmine (Billie Gadsdon), Sylvie (Eleanor Tomlinson) finds him drunk.
Upon discovering that the date is July 15, she offers her companionship and expresses sympathy; however, he proceeds on his way.
After Emma dies, Dexter appears to be at his lowest point in life, as evidenced by his heavy drinking, fights with random people, and physical altercations with the strip club's bodyguards.
He stops by his family's house and thinks back to his earlier times with Emma. His father, Stephen Mayhew (Tim McInnerny), encourages him to move on, as he has also been doing it following Dexter's mother Alison Mayhew's (Essie Davis) death.
Dexter Mayhem revisits old memories
Time jumps to July 15, 2004, when Dexter receives a visit from a few familiar faces. Tilly (Amber Grappy), who is married to Graham (Adam Loxley), comforts him for his loss.
Ian (Jonny Weldon), who used to be his rival for Emma's affections, advises him to move on because this is the most important thing at the moment.
Dexter smiles and nods in surprise at Ian's words of consolation. After everyone has left, Dexter takes a big gulp of a peg and imagines Emma while floating in the memories of her once more.
The following scene depicts Dexter in Edinburgh on July 15, 2007, looking to be at last on the path to recovery and moving on.
He thinks back to the times he spent hanging out with Emma and goes back to those places.
He thought back to the day as they bid each other farewell, and this time instead of bidding adieu, he embraces her, and the series ends with their affectionate embrace.
‘One Day’ is now available to stream on Netflix.
